Columbia River Treaty: Agreement in Principle, more information available
CRT-AIP-Canada-public-description-Final_2024Aug30.pdf (gov.bc.ca)
CRT Agreement-in-Principle, more information available
Ktunaxa Nation Advocates for Ecosystem Health and Indigenous Values in Columbia River Treaty Negotiations
The Ktunaxa Nation, alongside the Syilx Okanagan and Secwépemc Nations, has played a key role in shaping the recently announced Agreement in Principle (AIP) for the modernized Columbia River Treaty (CRT).
AIP: Video and Documentation
Representatives of these nations, along with the Province of B.C. and Government of Canada, released an explainer video about the work so far on modernizing the CRT, and outlined some key points about the agreement in principle.
In the video, Jaime Vienneau and Troy Hunter outline some of the issues the Ktunaxa Nation brought to the table.
What is new about the AIP?
The AIP introduces new ecological provisions that, for the first time, incorporate Indigenous cultural values and ecosystem health as core components of the treaty. These provisions are essential to supporting the health of the Columbia River system, from its headwaters to the Pacific Ocean.
Water Resources
Central to the AIP is the flexibility to manage water resources, with up to 5 million acre-feet allocated annually to support ecosystem and cultural needs. This water will help restore wetlands, improve river flow for salmon migration, and address the impacts of climate change. The reintroduction of salmon to the Upper Columbia River is a critical priority for the Ktunaxa Nation, as salmon have been absent from the region for over 80 years.
Indigenous-led Governance Body
The AIP also establishes a new Indigenous-led governance body, which will oversee research and make recommendations on treaty operations. This body will ensure that Indigenous cultural values and traditional knowledge are integrated with modern science to support the river’s long-term health.
Kootenay Transboundary Working Group
Additionally, the Kootenay Transboundary Working Group will address the impacts of the Libby Dam on Ktunaxa communities and the broader ecosystem. The group will provide the Ktunaxa Nation with a meaningful voice in decisions regarding dam operations and flood management.
The Ktunaxa Nation continues to work toward securing a modernized Columbia River Treaty that reflects our rights, respects our cultural values, and ensures benefit-sharing.
Ongoing negotiations with Canada, British Columbia, and the United States will be critical to finalizing the treaty.